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4.5 STARS - The Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro is a big step up from the previous Onyx Ace, with a more serviceable gaming mode, better sound quality, and likely the longest battery life of cheap AirPods-like earbuds.
Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC and AptX Adaptive codec
IPX5 waterproof rating (rain and sweat proof)
6,5 hours playtime on a single charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 4 times
Comes with USB-C cable and English manual
$35 - Check latest price on AliExpress
Below this Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro review, you will find comparisons of the Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro vs SoundPEATS Air3, Edifier X6 and Haylou GT6.
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Design, comfort and battery life
The new Pro-version looks like the original Tronsmart Onyx Ace and that isn't very good news. With their shiny white plastic finish, little metallic glimmer on top and rounded triangular stems, these earbuds look like $10 AirPods-knockoffs.
The slim and pocketable case is unchanged too. It wears the same metallic accent as the earbuds, and four bright LED-lights in it indicate charging of the earbuds and the remaining case battery. Recharging can be done via USB-C.
What has changed, is the battery life. The earbuds reach up to 6,5 hours of playtime on a single charge; the case can recharge them four times fully before needing new power. Those are way above average scores for AirPods-like earbuds. The earbuds are light and comfortable to wear, and it’s easy to get a snug fit. The IPX5 waterproof rating also ensures they withstand sweat and rain - these are run proof.
Controls and connectivity
The Onyx Ace Pro control scheme is convenient and comprehensive.
Double-tap L or R to play/pause music
Tap R to increase the volume
Tap L to decrease volume
Hold R to skip to the next track
Hold L to return a song
Triple-tap R to activate the voice assistant
Triple-tap L to (de)activate the gaming mode
Multiple taps require harder touches than usual, but at least this prevents triggering the wrong functions.
Connectivity is strong up to 9-10 meters from your device and the earbuds pair and connect quickly. There are no fancy features like multipoint connection, or auto-pause when you take an earbud out, but the basics work well.
Calling and watching movies
When taking a phone or video call with the Onyx Ace Pro, your voice sounds full and is loud enough. Background sounds are audible, but have the sharpest notes cut off, and they don't push away your voice. The combination of wind and noise around you is a threat for the call clarity, as always.
The Onyx Ace Pro is great for gaming on iPhone. Sound effects are as quick as the action you see on screen, and there’s nice space in the sound as well. While it’s hard to locate shots and explosions in for instance Call of Duty mobile precisely, it does indicate well enough if action is happening on your left and right. Both the roominess in the sound and synchronization is less spot-on on Android phones, sadly, where delay in sound effects are still noticeable.
Videos have flawless synchronization on both systems.
Thanks to the strong gaming synchronization, iPhone-users can add half a star to this score.
Also read: Best cheap AirPods-like earbuds
Sound quality of Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro
The original Onyx Ace sounded dull and bloated. Happily, the Pro is a big step up!
There was something the original already did very well: sound practically. That hasn't changed. The stems don't catch too much wind noise, so you can actually listen to music when you're running or cycling. They can go loud enough as well - even when there's much noise around you. This part is always tricky on AirPods-like earbuds that don't go all the way into your ears
The sound quality itself was the weakness of the original. That has changed.
As half-in-ears go, the sub-bass - darkest bass tones you can feel as much ass hear - doesn't rumble hard or dive very deep, but the mid-bass has a solid amount of body and provides a decent thump.
Lower-mids like drums, darker electronic tones and lower male vocals, are elevated and have above-average presence in the music. It gives music a nice warm character, without coloring music too much. Center mid-tones, like guitars, piano play and casual male vocals, also have a subtle warm underlining, but seem quite natural - guitar play for instance, is neither too dark or too bright sounding.
Higher vocals are forward enough to separate themselves from instruments, while the treble is cut off before it becomes sharp. Some (female) vocals can be a bit nasal, but a metallic feel or harshness are perfectly avoided.
Another step up is the space and separation in the music. It maintains the nice fullness of the original Onyx Ace, but instruments are now separated well and especially drums can come from your left and right. Things can still become a little congested in the most crowded tracks, but way less so than on the predecessor.
The Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro has turned into a pleasant listen; warm, full, yet balanced. They sound great for AirPods-like earbuds on a budget.
Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro comparisons
Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro vs SoundPEATS Air 3
At 10 dollars more, the SoundPEATS Air3 offers a more articulated sound for games, movies and music. The bass is stronger and more detailed, more loose from the lower mid-tones as well. Vocals are more forward and make music sound livelier, more energetic than on the fuller and more cohesive Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro. The microphone output of the Ace Pro is clearer and louder, and the Tronsmart also boasts two hours more battery life on a single charge. The Air3 looks nicer, with a more distinct design and shorter stems.
SoundPEATS Air3 review ($40)
Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro vs Edifier X6
When phone or video calls are your main concern, the Edifier X6 should be the affordable AirPods-like earbuds you should have. It represents your voice naturally, and makes it rise easily above noise around you. The Edifier X6 has a more original design, but its square stems are bulkier than the Tronsmart, which also has an hour longer battery life per charge. The Edifier sounds more balanced, with more focus on treble and mid-instruments than the Tronsmart, but also noticeably lighter - the Onyx Ace Pro's added fullness is a more comfortable listen.
Edifier X6 review ($30)
Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro vs Haylou GT6
The Haylou GT6 also is a bit bigger than the Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro, and more importantly, it's harder to find a right fit with them. Some Scarbir.com readers report you have to push them in deep manually to get the most of the sound. It's only when you have the best fit, that the sound is (more) balanced, more dynamic and shows more separation than the Tronsmart. The Onyx Ace Pro is easier to wear, helped by the IPX5 waterproof rating and the - again - longer battery life. Call quality isn't fantastic on both models; Tronsmarts gaming mode is better on iPhone - both have delays on Android.
Haylou GT6 review ($25)
Verdict
The Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro is a big step up from the previous Onyx Ace, with a more serviceable gaming mode, better sound quality, and about the longest battery life among cheap AirPods-like earbuds.
4.5 stars - Great
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I received the Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro from the manufacturer to test and review. My reviews are unsponsored and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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